Dear Radiant,
This Sunday we’ll begin new sermon series as we undertake a summer dig into the letter of James.
Really, this is a letter that can dig into us, and can excavate the hard soil of our lives. It is punchy and piercing from the start.
James writes:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Trials and joy usually don’t correlate in my experience, but the brother of Jesus, James, is inviting me to think again. His admonition is deeply provocative: what if there was a redemptive lens to view whatever struggle we are going through?
If trials can be transformative than this gives them meaning and purpose. If challenges tap into character development, they are, in a hidden way, quite precious.
While this may be a bitter pill, nonetheless, the prescription is helpful and deeply hopeful.
Excited to see you Sunday.
Grace and peace,
-Zach
Radiant Events Calendar
7/5 – Chris and Adria’s wedding in service
7/7 – Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course
7/8 – Women’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
7/12 – Radiant Youth – “Park Hopping Night”
7/19 – Lego Build Day (following church)
8/16 – Church “Adoption” Party at ELC
10/2-4 – Women’s Conference at Mission Springs
Happy 250th America!
As followers of Jesus, our primary and eternal citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Moreover, our primary place of identity is through our belonging to the Lord Jesus. Yet many of us are citizens and residents of the United States as well. God has called us to seek the peace and flourishing of the place we reside so we do so as Americans. I have been pondering both the amazing blessings and the real brokenness of our country’s 250 years. What a journey! Join me in asking that God would bring spiritual renewal to our nation, that “his kingdom would come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Wedding this Sunday at Church
Yes. You read that right. Adria Murphy and Christopher Brewer are getting married this Sunday during church. This will be a somewhat normal Radiant, liturgical Sunday, but will include Chris and Adria vowing before God their covenant commitment to him and each other. Here’s what they shared in terms of their rationale behind this decision (it is beautifully said). I am excited to celebrate this sacred moment this Sunday:
“Covenant. Our vision for this is to illuminate and honor the covenantal and sacramental nature of marriage, and to place all of our attention and financial investments into building and stewarding our marriage, rather than splurging on our wedding as an event.
Community. I also believe that, while celebrating a marriage with family and friends is important (we’re planning to have a reception later), intentionally nesting vows within the context of a worship service also prioritizes the Church Body (even—radically—above family and other chosen community) as the communal context for witnessing, validating, and supporting the act and holy institution of marriage.”
Lego Build Day – July 19
Join us for some Lego fun on Sunday, July 19 after service. Our very own Bryce Gilham, a Lego Educator, will lead us in a time of building fellowship one brick at a time. We’ll be doing Mosaics, Free Builds, and Robotics. All welcome!
Radiant Youth
No Youth Group this Sunday night! Enjoy the 4th! We will be back at it on July 12th for a “Park Hopping Night.” We’ll meet at ELC at 5:47PM.
RadCov Kids
Our children’s ministry director, Crystal Nicholson is stepping away from children’s ministry this July and August as she helps her grandmother navigate recovery from a serious car accident. This has been an incredibly full season for Crystal and we want to free her up to be present to family at this time. Moreover, we realize that this is an opportunity for us as a church to do re-imagining when it comes to developing and sustaining our growing children’s ministry. More to come on this! Please keep Crystal and her family in your prayers, as well as our Radcov kids ministry!
*Reminder, for the month of July, only our “Glow” (ages 0-4) classroom will be open. All other children are welcome in service. We will have materials for them to engage with during the service in the welcome area.
Women’s Conference at Mission Springs October 2-4
This fall’s theme, “Teach Us to Pray”, is centered on the Lord’s Prayer. Together, we will slow down and reflect on each phrase Jesus taught, discovering what it means to trust our Father, seek His kingdom, depend on His provision, and walk in forgiveness and surrender. This theme calls us not just to learn about prayer, but to be transformed by it. Through worship, teaching, and community, we will be renewed in our desire to pray boldly and live rooted in His presence. Join us for a weekend that promises to refresh your spirit, deepen your faith, and strengthen your connections with fellow women.
Register here: https://www.missionsprings.com/camp-event/womens-conference/
We got an admin!
Summer Hodge has been hired to do some part time administrative work at Radiant. We are so stoked to have Summer on board. Her many administrative and community building gifts are already blessing the church!
Community Notes
RADIANT ADOPTION INTO THE COVENANT – Radiant has been formally adopted into the Evangelical Covenant Denomination. This happened on Friday, June 26 at the 141st Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ. We’ll party later this summer as a congregation.
SHARING TABLE – One fun way we practice the gospel sharing and generosity is through our simple “sharing table.” We place a folding table where people can place items that they would like to give away to others (not junk!). These items could be clothes, fresh garden vegetables, toys, books, etc. It’s free – take them if you want it, no questions asked or obligations. If your sharing items are not taken that week – please be sure to take them back with you as we will not be storing items.
BAND APP – One way to connect to the Radiant community is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
Giving
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
